World Boxing to Implement Gender Verification Procedures for Olympic Champion Khelif
World Boxing Implements Gender Testing Policy After Paris Olympics Controversy
In response to a heated gender debate sparked by the 2024 Paris Olympics, the International Boxing Association (IBA)—recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)—has announced a new policy requiring mandatory gender testing for all boxers aged 18 and over participating in events organized or sanctioned by the organization.
The policy, which is aimed at ensuring a fair and safe competition environment, will require genetic analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to determine the athletes' sex at birth and their eligibility to compete in the male or female categories. The test results will be compared with the information stated in the athletes' passports.
The move comes after Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif from Algeria was at the center of controversy during the 2024 Paris Games. Khelif, already banned from the 2023 World Championships by the IBA, which is not recognized by the IOC, is now barred from participating in the Eindhoven Box Cup (5-10 June) and all future World Boxing events until she undergoes the mandated genetic sex screening.
Prior to this decision, Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan had caused a stir at the Paris Olympics, with their exclusion from the 2023 World Championships due to unexplained gender tests. Both athletes were said to have not met the participation criteria and had a competitive advantage compared to other female participants.
The IOC criticized the IBA’s move as an arbitrary decision made without proper procedure. However, the new policy by World Boxing is a more definitive approach to addressing concerns about gender eligibility in boxing competitions.
Future competitions for Khelif will depend on the outcome of the genetic testing. If she does not comply with the new policy, she will not be allowed to compete in the female category.
The implementation of this new policy by World Boxing is a significant step towards ensuring fairness in competitive sports, but it also brings up questions about privacy and the fairness of the regulations in question.
Sources: ntv.de, dbe/dpa
Boxing,being a sport governed by the International Boxing Association (IBA), has implemented a gender testing policy following the Paris Olympics controversy. This policy requires genetic analysis for all boxers aged 18 and over participating in events organized or sanctioned by the organization.
Individuals like Imane Khelif, who have been under scrutiny for gender eligibility in boxing competitions, will be subjected to these tests to determine their sex at birth and compete accordingly.
